you both had grown up beside one another your whole lives, but your families despised one another. neither could say why- it had just always been that way. deep down, you knew that hate was something different, something more complicated, but it was just so much easier to turn your nose the other way.

it had been months since you'd seen one another until you returned home from college on holiday break. chris remembered doing a double take when he was taking the trash out, seeing you out to get the mail. he quickly turned a blind eye, swallowing down the weird flutter he got in his chest when met with your polite smile across the fence.

your parents were out with a group of friends, leaving you alone in the house. no one expected the sudden white out that began, your parents letting you know they were stuck where they were until it cleared. you were fine at first, huddled in your childhood bed with a few blankets.

that was until the power went out, the heaters all lurching to a complete stop. you tried everything to keep your mind off the icy chill, wandering your house in a winter coat and hat, but the chattering of your teeth didn't end. it felt like a lost cause, but you couldn't stand the numbness in your face and hands anymore, throwing on a pair of thick socks and boots before trudging over to the Sturniolo's front door, dim lighting behind the curtains catching your attention.

and of course, he was the one to answer the door, quickly ushering you inside to avoid snow falling into the entry way as he aids you in taking off your winter clothes, guiding you towards the fireplace his brothers gathered around.

"it's fine, it's fine, shut up. just sit, your damn lips are blue." he muttered, wrapping a blanket around your shoulders.